THE SURFBOARD PROJECT

Investigating nature to rethink surfboards

In 2000, Thomas began exploring new surfboard concepts. Less concerned in functionality and instead focused on feeling, these early surfboards were created in an expression of the experience itself: riding a wave.

Finding design in nature and never intended for production they explored new design directions and became the start of a journey that would take Thomas around the world over the next several years and meet some of most influential shapers and surfers.

Today, Meyerhoffer has a dedicated following of surfers from around the world surfing the explorative designs. Determined to move the experience forward, he continues to develop new surfboard designs and connect with influencial shapers and surfers.

The Angled Take-Off

Surfboard design is driven by the demands of performance: to ride more dynamically and efficiently in and around the breaking part of the wave. The better a board performs, the more intense the sensation of surfing becomes. As such, emotion is still the heart and soul of every good surfboard.

Legozoo, 2005.

In 2000, Thomas began designing around this concept. Less concerned in function and instead focused on feeling, these early surfboards were created in an expression of the experience itself: riding an ocean wave. Finding design in nature, these bizarre and novelty surfboards — akin to a concept-car — were never intended for production, but explored new design directions, technology and styling.

Out of these free experiments came breakthrough moments — the boards performed beyond expectation — inspiring Thomas to pursue his ideas a stage further.

The Surfers Journal, 2007.

In 2007 Meyerhoffer's original designs where featured in a ten page article in The Surfers Journal by Scott Hulet. The article asked the question, "how does this make you feel?" and explored how we can design surfboards that not only perform better but also expand the feeling the surfer exprience on each wave. Design that deliver emotional preformance.

In Trim, At Speed

CAD development of the complex shape.

Using computer-aided design techniques, already familiar to him — long before it became common practice in surfboard building — he continued to develop explorative designs overcomming the shortfalls of the traditional production process unable to accommodate his unorthodox design, to create the now iconic, ‘Hourglass’ Longboard shape. This distinctive and desirable form became an instant hit, attracting public interest, national press and a string of international design awards — a feat never before achieved in surfing.

With the unexpected success came the inevitable skeptics. In the surfing world, opinions were polarized: open minded surfers embraced the boards, while many questioned the validity of the design and its subsequent commercial success. Meanwhile, Thomas found himself working at the leading-edge of surfboard design.

"Going Beyond the Waves to Reshape an Experience" The New York Times, 2009.

Even with mainstream success, the surf industry remained slow to adopt Thomas’ ideas, however it did afford him opportunity to confer with some of surfing’s master craftsman, including Australian surfboard designer, Bob McTavish and Hawaiian legend Randy Rarick.

Bob, a progressive thinker himself, McTavish encouraged Thomas to follow his vision, remembering he too was laughed at for his own bold innovations throughout the 1960s. He urged Thomas to work at his craft and enlist the best surfers to test the equipment: only then could he begin to measure his success as a surfboard designer. Energized by the encounter, Thomas returned to the basics of surfboard design and above all, the fun of surfing. A period of extensive travel introduced him and his design concepts to a world of waves and surfers: the feedback would prove invaluable.

Bob McTavish and Thomas surfing in Guethary France, 2011.

Delivering a custom design to Randy Rarick in Santa Cruz, 2013.

Crafting the modern single fin

Back home and back into production, he began working ever-more accurately and efficiently with the computer, unencumbered by traditional, antiquated tools. His output was creative and substantive, yielding a range of shortboard and longboard shapes.

Most notably, the Slip-In model recieved much attention and was awarded ‘Best in Show’ at the prestigious Sacred Craft surfboard exhibition — an event rooted in the traditions and craft of surfboard building. Significantly, the award was recognition from surfing’s core establishment.

Slip In concept design. Best in Show, Sacred Craft, 2013.

In the evolution of the modern surfboard, the Single Fin is a somewhat outmoded design, surpassed in performance by the modern Thruster invented in the early 1980s and now a staple of competition surfing.

However, the Single Fin has endured, sustained by its perceived simplicity, which continues inspire surfing purists looking to flow in harmony with the wave — an approach associated with ‘Soul Surfing’: surfing for the good of ones soul, in contrast to prevailing aggressive styles in professional, competetive surfing. Recognizing the virtues of this forgotten design, we reimagined the classic Single Fin, boosting its performance capabilities, while retaining the gliding sensation and trim-speed unique to the original design.

Slip In Design Reserach 2012

By using computer-aided design — notably, long before it became common practice in surfboard building — Thomas is able to work accurately and efficiently, unencumbered by traditional, antiquated tools.

The distinctive tail is a derivative of our revolutionary Longboard design and features a negative cut along the extended tail. This radical design does away with traditionally bulky tail shapes and reduces drag, enabling easy rail-to- rail transitions and a tighter turning radius. The wide point of the outline is moved further up, immediately positioning the surfer forward on the board in gaining momentum as he traverses across the wave.

A complex blend of bottom contours work to channel water efficiently through the fins, creating positive lift and hold through decisive turns. The Rocker (the curve of the surfboard from nose to tail) strikes a balance between the traditionally flatter rocker of a Single Fin (for speed) and the more pronounced rocker of the modern Thruster (for maneuverability).

Finally, the fin itself forms a crucial component of the design. Working with Futures technology, we produced a unique fin template with a large rake for tighter turns. Using carbon-fiber, the base of the fin is made strong for stability, and foiled to a fine edge that flexes as pressure is applied. This flex pattern determines how the board handles on the water and is carefully balanced for maximum control and drive.

Feedback

Eric Geiselman

"You can use a modern style approach if you want real performance or just keep it real classic and maintain a one-line approach" says professional surfer, Eric Geiselman. Subsequently, the Slip-In is a proven functional surfboard used by devotees and professional surfers alike, the world over.

Josh Mulcoy

Josh Mulcoy, a surfers with an open mind searching for new experiences.

Professional surfer, Josh Mulcoy says: "It has all the good qualities of a single-fin, but at the same time, you can turn it on a dime. It has the best of both worlds: the thruster feel and the speed, but you can get on a rail like you do on a single-fin."

Jamie O'Brien

Watch Jamie O'Brien speak about Slip In. Red Bull Decades 2013.

Shaping the future

Slip In design. Video by Patrick Trefz. 2013.

Under the mantra SUR FOR WRD, Meyerhoffer surfboards continues its unique evolution, gaining momentum and following. Enjoying status at the vanguard of surfboard design, Thomas now silences his critics by allowing the surfboard to speak for itself. His beautifully functional, powerfully simple designs are now used by devotees and professional surfers alike, the world over.

Living on the coast of California, overlooking the surf, he stays close to the source of his inspiration and the international community of surfers that surrounds him. Just as the Pacific Ocean is ever changing the surfboard, by extension, holds infinite design possibilities for him. Free to challenge the limits of process and form, he is liberated: a feeling that flows through his broad design practice.